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REFORM:
OUTCOMES OF THE REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS
Pro bono assistance
To provide support to the sector providing not-for-profit immigration advice, the Office of the MARA held a forum in June 2010 in Sydney for organisations involved in this sector.
This forum was chaired by advisory board member, Ms Sonia Caton, and it facilitated meaningful dialogue and discussion of the need for pro bono assistance. A total of 23 delegates attended including representatives of ACCES Services Inc, DIAC, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, Law Council of Australia, MIA, Migration Alliance, Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia, Multicultural Development Association, Murdoch University, Refugee Advice and Casework Service, Refugee & Immigration Legal Centre, Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, the Salvation Army’s Courtyard Legal and the Settlement Council of Australia.
Ways to increase the number of registered migration agents working with not-for-profit organisations were discussed. Some actions from the meeting have been put in place, including the development of a kit by the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service to assist in completing ‘split family’ visa applications, and the provision of a link on the Office of the MARA website to information for, and about, pro bono agents.
Feedback from participants was extremely positive as it was the first time many of the organisations had been brought together.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct for registered migration agents was considered during the review, which recommended that the code be re-written in simple English, strengthened and ethical issues dealt with separately.
In progressing the review of the Code of Conduct, the Office of the MARA is focusing on strengthening existing provisions to provide clear rules of conduct for enforcement. In addition, a separate statement of ethics containing broad guiding principles of professional behaviour that are in line with the Code of Conduct will be developed.
Recommendations requiring legislative change
Legislative or regulatory change will be required to finalise a number of review recommendations.
A regulatory change program is being developed by the Migration Agents Section of DIAC, in close consultation with the Office of the MARA.
Further information on the review is contained in Appendix 10.
